Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth and Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool go head-to-head at the Vitality Stadium for a tasty-looking Premier League fixture on Saturday afternoon. The Cherries will be buoyed by Tuesday’s important win over Huddersfield Town while the Reds will be searching for a fifth straight Premier League victory.

The Cherries have made a solid start to their campaign, as they occupy seventh spot after 15 matches. As for Liverpool, they are hunting down leaders Manchester City, and are currently sitting just two points behind Pep Guardiola’s superstars in second. Bournemouth are not an easy nut to crack at Dean Court, but the Merseysiders head to the south coast as clear favourites.

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Bournemouth News: Huge Win in Midweek

Bournemouth had made a terrific start to their season, winning six of their opening 10 Premier League matches. However, all their hard work was in danger of being undone as the Cherries lost four in a row over the course of a month, losing to Manchester United, Newcastle United, Arsenal and Man City. Still, Howe’s troops got back to winning ways on Tuesday, seeing off Huddersfield thanks to goals from Callum Wilson and Ryan Fraser. That was a massive victory for Bournemouth, who had not won since beating Fulham 3-0 at Craven Cottage back in October.

Wilson’s On Fire

Bournemouth’s Wilson has been in tremendous form for the Cherries so far this term. The striker netted his eighth Premier League goal of the campaign in midweek, the same number he managed in the entire 2017-18 season. Wilson’s stunning performances have not gone unnoticed, with Gareth Southgate calling him up to the England squad last month. The 26-year-old celebrated the news by scoring in the 3-0 win over USA at Wembley Stadium. Wilson has notched an impressive eight times in his last 12 league and cup appearances for club and country.

Liverpool News: Reds Keeping Up with City’s Relentless Pace

Liverpool have made an excellent start to their Premier League season, winning 12 and drawing three of their opening 15 matches. Since drawing 1-1 with Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium over a month ago, Klopp’s side have won four in a row in the Premier League, beating the likes of Fulham, Watford, Everton and Burnley. Last weekend, Divock Origi’s dramatic goal right at the very end gave the Reds a 1-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton at Anfield, which they followed up with a 3-1 win at Turf Moor on Wednesday.

Liverpool Very Strong on Their Travels

Liverpool have had three bad results away from home in the UEFA Champions League this season, losing 1-0 at Napoli, 2-0 to Red Star Belgrade in Serbia and 2-1 to Thomas Tuchel’s Paris Saint-Germain in Paris at the end of last month. However, things have been going very well on the road in the Premier League this season, with Liverpool winning six and drawing two of their eight away fixtures up until now. Only Tottenham Hotspur, who have played one away game more, have picked up more away points.

Shaqiri Starting to Shine in a Liverpool Shirt

Eyebrows were certainly raised when Liverpool spent £13m on Xherdan Shaqiri in the summer. Shaqiri had just had a terrible season for Stoke City, who were relegated to the EFL Championship at the end of the campaign. However, the Switzerland international is starting to prove his doubters wrong after several top displays for the Reds. The attacker scored his third goal for Liverpool in Wednesday’s 3-1 victory at Burnley, capping off a fine display on the wing. The 27-year-old has the potential to be a big player for Klopp this season.

Injury Woes for Klopp?

Klopp chopped and changed his tired team at Burnley in midweek, with the likes of Moreno, Naby Keita and Origi getting a start. However, some of the changes were forced, with Andy Robertson missing out with a hip issue while Sadio Mane had a foot problem. Meanwhile, in-form Joe Gomez hobbled off with an ankle injury. Liverpool will be hoping that all three can make a return at the Vitality at the weekend.

Analysis: Reds to Edge It

Liverpool have had plenty of success away from home in the Premier League this season, dropping just four points along the way. As for Bournemouth, they have been excellent at the Vitality so far, winning seven, drawing two and losing two of their opening 11 league and cup matches on their own patch. The Reds may be flying high in the table, but this will no doubt be a tricky game for them. However, we can see Liverpool nicking a narrow win here.

Another Clean Sheet for Klopp

Liverpool have conceded just six Premier League goals all season, which is the lowest number in the division. Three of their last four away league wins have come with clean sheets, so put a few quid on Liverpool to win to nil on Saturday, which is available at odds of 2/1.

Narrow Win for the Visitors

Liverpool have won by just one goal on six occasions in all competitions this season, including last weekend when the Reds beat the Toffees 1-0. For a repeat 1-0 scoreline in this one, take a punt on the tempting odds of 17/2.

Brazilian to Open the Scoring

Roberto Firmino has had his critics this term, but the Brazilian came off the bench to score an important goal for the Reds at Burnley in midweek. All four of his Premier League goals this season have come away from Anfield, and we fancy him to get his name on the scoresheet again this weekend. Firmino, who scored home and away against Bournemouth last term, is priced at 5/1 to score first on Saturday.

Recent Matches

Since Bournemouth’s arrival in the Premier League back in 2015, these two clubs have met six times in the top flight, with Liverpool winning four of those. Bournemouth’s one and only win over the Reds was one to remember, as they came from 3-1 down to win 4-3 at the Vitality in a Premier League fixture back in December 2016. There have been plenty of goals in this fixture of late, with the last four league games producing a staggering 18 goals.

14th April 2018: Liverpool 3 – 0 Bournemouth

When these two last met, Liverpool cruised to a 3-0 win at Anfield back in April. Mane gave the Reds a seventh minute lead, which Mohamed Salah doubled 20 minutes from time. In injury time, Firmino added a third for Liverpool.

17th December 2017: Bournemouth 0 – 4 Liverpool

Liverpool ran riot in this corresponding fixture in December last year. Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring on 20 minutes, with Dejan Lovren netting just six minutes later. Salah scored a third just before the break. In the second period, Firmino completed the scoring after 66 minutes.

5th April 2017: Liverpool 2 – 2 Bournemouth

The pair played out a four-goal thriller at Anfield back in April 2017. Benik Afobe scored early to give the Cherries the lead, but goals from Coutinho and Origi either side of half time put the Reds 2-1 up. Josh King scored late to rescue a point for Howe’s side in the eventual 2-2 draw.

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